Kazakhstan Mi-26Ts Re-Enter Service After 20-Year Gap

By Staff Writer | December 1, 2013

Fire, Heavylift, Utility

Russian Helicopters Mi-26T.

Russian Helicopters has returned the first of two Mi-26T heavy lift helicopters to the Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry after undergoing overhaul and modification from their previous M-26 military status.

The helicopters were prepared for overhaul in March 2012, when specialists from Novosibirsk met engineers from Kazaviaspas and two months later they were airlifted by a UTair Mi-26T the 2,000 km to the Novosibirsk facility.

Work is being carried out at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant. Both of the helicopters had been in storage for 20 years. The new aircraft are now equipped with a range of rescue equipment.

Russian Helicopters has also secured an order for a Ka-32A11BC from the Belarus Emergencies Ministry. The Minsk department of the government agency will operate the helicopter in the firefighting role, specifically for high-rise buildings as part of a city development program. Minsk is working on a number of skyscraper projects, including in the Parus apartment block and Royal Plaza administrative complex rise, while the Gazprom tower and Minsk tower reach over 150 meters (around 500 feet). The Ka-32 will come equipped with a water cannon. Handover to Belarus is expected in 2014.